Who we are.
Welcome to Urgyen Samten Ling, your bridge to an authentic, traditional Buddhist practice. With our virtual sangha, we offer various avenues to explore and engage with the teachings of Buddhism on many levels.
Discover the essence of Buddhist practice through ceremonies (pujas), group meditation sessions, immersive retreats, and personalized guidance for individual practice. Our aim is to lead you towards profound truth that is only found only through direct experience.
Through the avenues of study, contemplation, and meditation, we uncover and embody the inherent compassion, joy, and wisdom of the Bodhisattva. At Urgyen Samten Ling, we cherish the importance of community in the path of Dharma.
Our Sangha, comprising lay practitioners, monastics and Ngakpas, is a supportive environment for your spiritual growth. In our commitment to inclusivity, we welcome all sentient beings, aiming to cater to the diverse needs of our practitioners and the wider community alike.
Services provided by the Urgyen Samten Ling Sangha for the community include:
Blessings of the home, business, birth and for overall well-being and health.
Blessings for those transitioning into states of dying or for those who have died.
If you are in need of our prayers and services, please inquire with us at info@urgyensamtenling.org
Our lineage
Urgyen Samten Ling is a part of a great lineage that dates all the way back to ancient Tibet.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Born in Kham, Tibet, Tulku Urgyen began meditating at age 4 under the guidance of his father and root guru. He spent 20 years in retreat focusing on recognizing the nature of mind and guided many students in Dzogchen, including Lama Thupten Rinpoche.
Instrumental in establishing Salt Lake's Tibetan temple, known as "Urgyen Samten Ling," through his blessings and name.
Khenchen Thupten Ozer Rinpoche
Entered the Buddhadharma at a young age and studied under prominent masters, including Tulku Do-ngak and Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche. Established the retreat center, Pangang, in northern India, and tirelessly taught the Dharma to students until his passing in late 2000.
Khenpo Konchok Monlam Rinpoche
Ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk at the age of eight at Drikung Kagyu Monastery. Studied for 20 years under the guidance of Khenpo Thupten Ozer at Pangang. Cared for 15 nuns at Ngoedup Charbeb Ling in Nepal and served as the spiritual head of Urgyen Samten Ling way from Kathmandu — until his passing in 2024.
Lama Thupten Dorje Gyaltsen Rinpoche
Resident teacher of Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa, with over 45 years of study and practice in the Buddhadharma. Became a Lama in 1997 and received the title of Rinpoche in 2013. Now serves as leading Master at Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa, conducting weekly pujas and teachings online through Zoom. Rinpoche is also available for individual or group audiences with those who are interested.
Lama Chodrak Palden
Lama first joined Urgyen Samten Ling in 2005 and served as Chöpon for many years before being recognized as a Lama in 2016 by Shangpa Rinpoche. Lama has been a devoted student of Lama Thupten Rinpoche for over 20 years, he has also studied with Khenpo Choga Rinpoche; Khenpo Konchok Monlam Rinpoche; Dupsing Rinpoche; Choejar Rinpoche and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche.
“I am a very simple Lama. There is nothing special about me - but there is something special about what I teach.” ~ Lama Palden
Lhamo Khandro
Lhamo’s Buddhist journey started in 1997 in a Zen Buddhist tradition, taking refuge in March of 2002 and recognized as a Soto Zen Priest by 2008. In March of 2011, she began actively studying Tibetan Buddhism at Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa and took refuge under Lama Thupten Rinpoche. On May 21 of 2017, she became an ordained Lhamo and is now the current teacher of our sister sangha, Tahri Marpo Ling, as well as Urgyen Samten Ling, under the humble direction of Rinpoche and Lama Palden.
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